Secondary service box



Aprilz, 1942 M. RUGGIERI 2,281,515

'SECONDARY SERVICE BOX Filed April 8, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l /sA ya i 3,/

Htl /60 :ll' (Q G :54

ATTORNEY.

April 28, 1942. M. RUGGIERI SECONDARY SERVICE BOX Filed April 8, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Plil 28. 1942- M. RUGGIERI SECONDARY SERVICE BOX Filed April 8, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 28, 1942 SECONDARY SERVICE BOX Michael Ruggieri, Stroudsburg, Pa., assignor to Line Material Company, South Milwaukee, -Wis., a corporation of Delaware application April s, 1940, serial No. 328,505

10- Claims.

This invention relates to secondary service boxes.

It is common practice in secondary line con-A struction where a plurality of service drops are required at a single line pole for domestic wiring and other purposes, to provide an elaborate and complicated secondary rack construction which is diilicult to install, is unsatisfactory in residential areas because of the unsightly construction, is undesirable electrically because of exposed live parts and interferes with the climbing space on the pole.

It is particularly difficult to provide such service drops on a messenger wire type of secondary line construction because crossarms are generally required in-addition to the elaborate and complicated rack construction needed, thereby increasing the cost of such installation.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide for secondary transmission lines a simple, compact service box to which secondary conductors and a plurality of service drops may be connected in such a manner that all conductor connections may be made independently of the other and all live connecting parts are housed against direct weathering and mechanical damage, and to provide an electrically safe construction.

Another object is to provide for`secondary transmission lines a. service box comprising an insulating housing including removable cover portions and a plurality of compartments and conductor openings, and a pair of bus bars disposed in corresponding compartments and having a plurality of electrically interrelated terminal portions each adjacent a corresponding opening whereby conductor members extending through the openings may be connected in desirable electrical relationship within the housing thereby providing an electrically safe andfcompact construction which is simple, economical to manufacture, efllcient and easy to use.

Still another object is to provide for a service box a unitary bus bar comprising a plurality of apertured terminal portions and a slotted conductive means in electrical relationship witheach terminal portion, the slotted means being adapted to hold a bifurcated bolt whereby the intermediate portion of a line conductor may be connected in electrical relationship with the conductive means without the necessity of severing the line conductor.

A further object is to provide for a grounded messenger wire type of secondary line construction, a channel support comprising a messenger wire gripping means in grounded relationship with the channel support and a plurality of slotted portions each adapted to receive a bifurcated bolt whereby one wire of a three wire service drop may be grounded thereto, and a pair of channel bolts adapted to hold the channel support in operating position relative to the secondary transmission line, one of the bolts being provided with means for supporting a primary messenger cable, and a. service box substantially as hereinbefore described mounted on the channel support andioperating to provide a plurality of service drop terminals in a facile eillcient and economical manner.

A still further object is to provide a secondary service box including a. housing having independently related terminal compartments communicable With the exterior of the housing through a plurality of apertures and extending intoa conductor channel adjacent one end of the housing and an interchangeable terminal means disposable in either of the compartments.

In the drawings: f I

Fig. 1 is a vertical plan view partly in section of a secondary service boxwith parts removed.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation partly in section of the secondary service box shown in Fig. 1 provided with cover portions.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the secondary service box mounted on a line pole in operative relation to a messenger wire type of line construction.

Fig. 4 is a vertical plan view, of a modified form of secondary service box with parts removed.

Fig. 5 is a view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 with parts removed.

Like parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout the several views.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a secondary service box comprising a unitary housing I molded preferably of porcelain or any other suitable insulating material and having a wall member 2, provided on the rear surface thereof with spaced bearing surfaces 2A, upper and lower walls 3 and l respectively and side walls 5 and 6, each wall being normally related to the Wall member 2.

The upper portion of the housing i is provided.

with a pair of cylindrical compartments 1 and 8 diagonally spaced from each other. The upper The lower portion of the housing I is provided with a pair of compartments I3 and I4 extending in parallel relationship to each other longitudinally of the housing I and communicating at their upper ends with the compartments 1 and 8 by means of the channel portions I5 and Il're-- spectively. The compartments I3 and I4 are separated from each other by means of the partition I1. The channel 9 and compartment 8 are separated from each other by means of the partition I8, It may be noted that the partitions I1 and I8 areprovided with apertures I9, and 20 and 2| respectively, each of which extends through the wall member 2.

The compartments I3 and I4 are each provided with a series of notched portions 22, each extending into the walls 6 and 5 respectively. A conductor aperture 23 extends at an angle upwardly through the corresponding walls 5 and 6 into each notched portion 22 as shown.

An electrically conductive unitary terminal member or bus bar 24 is mounted in the compartments 1 and I3 and channel I5 by means of a pair of screws 25 extending through and countersunk in the wall member 2 and threadedly engaging the bar 24 as shown. A similar bus bar 26 is mounted in the compartments 8 and I4 and the channel I6 by means of the screws 21 in the manner described with reference to the bus bar 24.

Each bus bar 24 and 26 is provided with four apertured conductor terminals 28 each spaced one above the other as shown and provided with a pair of terminal screws 29, the terminals 28 on the bus bars 24 and 26 are disposed in the channels I3 and I4 respectively and each terminal extends into a corresponding notch 22 adjacent to and in alignment with a corresponding conductor aperture 23. o

The upper end of the bus bar 26 `extends through the channel I6 and terminates in the compartment 8 in the form of a terminal head. 38 slotted at 3|. The upper end of the bus bar 24 extends through the channel I5 and terminates in the compartment 1 in the form of a terminal head 32 slotted at 33 in the manner described with reference to the terminal head 30. A well known form of bifurcated solderless connector 34 is mounted on the head 32 having its threaded leg portions 35 extending through the slots 33 and held in non-removable relationship with the head 32 against the Wall member 2 as shown at 36.

The service box hereinbefore described is mounted on a channel iron 31, apertured adjacent its ends at 38A, by means of bolts 38, 39 and 40 extending through the apertures I9, 26 and 2| respectively in the service box and held against rotation by the squared shank portion 4I received in corresponding squared openings 42 in the channel iron 31. Nuts 43 are threaded on the bolts 38, 39 and 48 and engage with the corresponding partitions I1 and I8 thereby holding the service box in xed position relative to the channel iron 31.

A cable plate 44 mounted adjacent the upper end of the channel iron 31 by means of a bolt 45 is provided with an upper aperture 46 in axial alignment with the aperture 38A in the channel iron 31 and a longitudinally extending cable groove 41 having its intermediate portion raised at 48. Adjacent each end of the groove 41 is mounted a U-bolt 49 having its threaded leg portion 58 extending through apertures 5I as shown. A clamping jaw 52 mounted between the legs of the U bolt and peened thereto at 53 is drawn into operative relationship with the groove 41 by means of nuts 54 as shown.

Pairs of slotted portions 31A are provided on each side of the channel iron 31 and are adapted to receive holding means of the bifurcated bolt type to which the neutral wire of a three wire service drop may be grounded.

The upper compartments 1 and 8 and corresponding channels are closed by means of a porcelain cover 55 provided centrally thereof with an aperture not shown. The cover 55 provided with a molding of cork 56 or other suitable material, is mounted on the bolt 38 and held against the corresponding Walls 3, 5 and 6 by means of the wing nut 51.

The lower compartments I3 and I4 are closed by means of a porcelain cover 58 in the manner described with reference to the cover 55 except that two apertures are provided for holding the cover in place on the corresponding bolts 39 and 40.

It may be noted that the lower portion of the i walls 5 and 6 and wall 4 extend less far upwardly wire 6I and a pair of secondary line conductors 62 extending from a distribution transformer, not shown, and suspended from the-secondary messenger wire 63 by means of clips 64. It may be noted that the messenger wires 6I` and 63 are grounded at any convenient place in the system, generally at the transformer.

The service box is mounted on aline pole 65 by means of through-bolts 66 extending through the apertures 38A in the channel iron 31 and the pole 65 and anchored at the opposite side of the pole With suitable means as nuts 61 and 68. The upper means 68 is provided with a clamping portion 68A which holds the primary messenger wire 6I in suspended relationship to the pole 65.

The secondary messenger Wire 63 is anchored adjacent the service box by means of the cable plate 44 by removing the U-bolts 49 from the plate 44 and placing the wire 63 in the groove 41 Where it is held by means of the U-bolts 49 replaced in the apertures 5I. It may be noted that the raised portion 48 of the cable plate 44 provides a more positive -gripping relationship betweenrthe gripped portion of the wire 63, the clamps 52 and the cable groove 41 by extending the groove 41 out of direct alignment with the clamps 52. It may be further noted that the channel 31 is now in grounded relationship to the messenger wire 63.

The conductors 62 are mounted in electrical relationship with the service box by removing the cover 55, removing the nut portion of the bifurcated bolt 34, and removing a portion of the insulation on the conductors 62 and inserting one of the conductors in the channels 9 and I0 and adjacent the terminal head 32 where the one conductor is held by means of the bifurcated bolt 34 in electrical relationship with the bus bar 24. The other conductor is inserted in the channels II and I2 and adjacent the head 30 lx1 the manner described with reference to the a,as1,s1s e pairs of threaded openings 98, one pair of which terminal head 82. The cover I8 is replaced. thereby protecting al1 live connecting parts. It may be noted that it is not necessary to sever the conductors 82 but only remove the insulation therefrom in order to make a quick, easy and positive electrical connection with the service box.

'I'he box is now in operative position to provide a plurality of three wire service drop connections for a corresponding plurality of electrical consumers not shown.

A three wire service drop 89 is illustrated in Fig. 3 comprising a conductor 18 grounded on the channel 81 at one of the slotted portions 81A and two conductors 1| extending through the apertures 28 and held in electrical relationship in the terminals 29 by means of the screws 29. The service drop is dead ended to the messenger wire 83 or any other suitable support as for example the pole 85, by means of a well known type of exible cable anchor 12.

It may be notedr that further service drops vmay be provided in the vicinity of the pole 85 by simply removing the cover 58 and inserting the necessary conductors in the proper terminals 28 and securing the conductors therein by means of the screws 29 tightened in place by means of a screw driver and grounding the third wire at a convenient slotted portion 31A on the channel 31 by means of a properly arranged bifurcate bolt notshown.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a modiiled form of service box comprising a housing 13 having a rear wall 14, side walls 15 and upper and lower walls 19 and 11 respectively. Conductor channels 18 and 19 extend transversely of the housing 13 at each end thereof and enlarge intermediate the side walls 15 into corresponding compartments 88 and 8|.

Longitudinal compartments 82 and 83 disposed between and normal to the channels 18 and 18 extend into the compartments 88 and 8| respectively and are separated from each other by means of a partition 84. It may be noted that one end of each compartment 82 and 88 is separated from the adjacent channels 19 and 18 by the 'partitions 85 and 88 respectively. It may be further noted that the compartments 82 and 83 are in non-communicating relationship with each other because of the partitions 84, 85 and 89. Openings 81 are provided in opposite ends of the partition 84 and extend through the wall 14 and terminate centrally of the supporting surfaces 88. The openings 81 are adaptedto receive bolts, not shown, whereby the yservice box may be mounted on the channel iron 81 in the* manner described with reference to Fig. l.

The compartments 82 and 83 are provided with apertures 89 each of which extend downwardly at an angle through the wall 15. The compartments 82 and 83 are notched outwardly at 98 adjacenteach opening 89 and notched at 9| into the partition 84.

Elongated terminal members 92 comprising'a series of connector portions 93 and a terminal head 94 slotted at 95 to receive a bifurcated type of bolt, not shown, are mounted in the corresponding compartments 82 and 83 by means of screws 98 extending through and counter-sunk in the rear wall 14 as shown. The connector portions are apertured therethrough at 91 and extend into the notched portions 98 adjacent the conductor openings 89 and extend upwardly and rearwardly into the notched portions 9|. Each connector portion 98 is provided. with opposed is shown receiving the screws 99 to hold the line conductor 1| in the wire receiving aperture 91.

The terminal head portion 94 of each terminal member 92 extends into a corresponding compartment 88 and 8| where the secondary line conductors 82 are electrically secured in the manner described with reference to Fig. 1.

It may be noted that the terminal members 92 are interchangeable from one compartment to the other, it being only necessary to mount the screws 99 on the proper side of the wire receiving openings 91 in the screw openings 98.

A cover plate, not shown, may be mounted on a screw means, not shown, which may extend through the apertures 81 in the manner described y with reference to` Fig. 2 except that the cover may be made in a single piece and may extend between the raisedv portions |82 von the walls 16 and 11 and flush with the side walls, 15 thereby protecting the electrical connections within the box against direct weathering and mechanical damage.

The modified box is mounted in electrical relationship to a secondary messenger wire type I of line construction in the manner described with reference to Fig. 3 except that the conductors 82 will be spaced apart a greater distance than shown in Fig. 3 in order to be mounted in the rresponding channels 18 and 19 as shown in It may be noted that the service boxes hereinbefore described may also be mounted in electrical relation with a standard type of two wire secondary transmission line.

When the service box is used on a two wire secondary system the cable plate 44 is not needed. Leads are tappedV from the secondary wires and connected to the corresponding .terminal heads 88 and 82 or 94 by means of solderless connectors. Service drops are connected to the terminal portions in the manner described with reference to Fig. 3 except that the ground wire 18 is eliminated.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the objects of this invention have been attained by providing for a secondary transmission line a service boxl comprising a housing having a plurality of compartments, each being in cornmunication with the exterior of the housing and having bus bars mounted therein, a portion of each bar being adaptedfor connection with a secondary conductor and the remaining portion of each bar being adapted to provide terminal connections for service drop conductors, the various connections being made independently of the other.

It is further apparent that a service box has been provided having a mounting means associated therewith and adapted for mounting the service box in operative relationship to a messenger wire type of secondary transmission line.

A further object has been accomplished by providing a secondary service box having compartments in noncommunicating relationship to each other and having interchangeable terminal members disposable in either of the compartments.

I claim:

1. A secondary service box made of an insulating material and comprising channels extending transversely thereof and open on each side of said box, adjacent terminal compartments having a common dividing wall and each provided with a side and communicating with one of said chanaxial alignment therewith, and said elongated terminals being constructed for interfitting engagement with the offset and inset portions of the common dividing wall and side walls.

2. A secondary service box made of an insulating material and comprising channels extending transversely thereof and open on each side of said box, .adjacent terminal compartments having a common dividing wall and each provided with a side and communicating with one of said channels, the opposed faces of the dividing wall and the side walls having offset and inset portions, said side walls being provided with apertures extending to the exetrior of said box and in an angular direction relative to said channels, and elongated terminals each positioned in one of said compartments and extending into a corresponding channel, each terminal having a series of tubular clamping portions adjacent said apertures in axial alignment therewith and having terminal clamping means associated in integral relation with said extended portion, and said elongated terminals being constructed for interfltting engagement with the oiset and inset portions of the common dividing wall and side walls.

3. A secondary service box made of an insulating material and comprising spaced channels extending transversely thereof, said channels being adjacent one end and open on each side of said box, adjacent terminal compartments having a common dividing wall and each provided with a side and communicating with one of said channels and extending normally to and in the same direction from said channels, the opposed faces of the dividing wall and the side walls having offset and inset portions, said ,compartments being apertured downwardly through each of said sides to the exterior of said box, conductor means each positioned in one of said compartments and -extending into a corresponding channel and having a series of tubular conductor clamps adjacent said apertures and in axial alignment therewith, and the conductor means being constructed for interfltting engagement with vthe offset and inset portions of the common dividing wall and side walls.

4. A secondary service box made of an insulating material and comprising spaced chan-/v nels extending transversely thereof, said channels being adjacent one end and open on each side of said box, adjacent terminal compartments having a common dividing wall and each provided with a side` and communicating with one of said channels and extending normally to and inthe same direction from said channels, the opposed faces of the dividing wall and the side Walls having offset and inset portions, said compartments being apertured downwardly through each of said sides to the exterior of said box, conductor means each positioned in one of said compartments and extending into a corresponding channel and having a series of tubular conductor clamps adjacent said apertures and in axial alignment therewith, terminal clamping means associated with said extended portion, whereby line conductors may be held in electrical relation therewith in said channels, and the conductor means being constructed for intertting engagement 'with the offset and inset portions of the common dividing wall and side walls.

5. A secondary service box made of an insulating material and comprising spaced channels each extending transversely of said box and adjacent an end thereof, said channels being open on each side of said box, terminal compartments each communicating with one of said channels and extending normal to said channels, said compartments being apertured to the exterior of said box and in noncommunicating relationship with each other, conductor means each positioned in one of said compartments and extending into a corresponding channel and having a conductor rtzlamp in said compartment adjacent said aperure.

6. A secondary service box made of an insulating material and comprising channels extending transversely thereof and open on each side of said box, adjacent terminal compartments having a common dividing wall and each provided with a side and communicating with one of said channels, lthe opposed faces of the dividing wall and the side walls having oiset and inset portions, said compartments being apertured downwardly through each of said sides to the exterior` of said box, elongated terminals each positioned in one of said compartments and extending into a corresponding channel and having a series of tubular conductor clamps adjacent said apertures and in axial alignment therewith, said elongated terminals being constructed for interiltting engagement with the offset and inset portions of the common dividing wall and side walls, a ilrst cover for said compartments and a second cover for said channels, holding means including bolts passing through said box and covers adapted to anchor said lbox in mounted position and hold said cover portions in closed position and means threaded on said bolt for engagement with said covers.

7. A unitary bus bar comprising an elongated conductive member provided with a slotted terminal head, said head being adapted to receive a bifurcated bolt whereby the intermediate length between the suspended portions of a conductor wire may be received in electrical relation therewith, and spaced tubular conductor clamps integral with said .bus bar and providing an opening into said bar at an angle relative to the 1ongitudinal axis thereof.

8. A secondary service box made of an insulating material and comprising channels extending transversely thereof and open on each side of said box, terminal compartments each communicating with one of said channels, said compartments being in noncommunicating relationship with each other and apertured to the exterior of said box, identical terminal members mountable in either of said compartments and having a terminal head extending into a corresponding channel and-having a conductor clamp adjacent said aperture.

9. An insulating secondary service box comprising a pair of substantially parallel channels extending transversely and open at opposite sides thereof, ar pair of elongated, substantially parallel compartments normal to said channels and each communicating with one of said channels, each of said compartments having a plurality of apertures to the exterior of said box, in combination with a supporting base, a pair of covers,

one of which closes said channels laterally thereof and the other of which closes said compartments, bolts extending through said base, box, and covers, and positioned between said channels and compartments, and means threaded on said bolts for engagement with said covers, whereby said covers may each be individually removed without releasing said box from said base.

10. A- secondary service box made of an insulating material and comprising channels extending transversely thereof and open on each l0 

